The purpose of the news conference was for Acting Police Supt. Garry McCarthy to introduce his No. 2 man, First Deputy Supt. Al Wysinger, who had been deputy chief of detectives.

McCarthy said gang activity had nothing to do with the decision to close the beach on Memorial Day.

“No, that’s not what happened,” he said. “The folks who showed up at North Avenue, to what I was informed of, were suburbanites who were coming to the beach to enjoy a nice day. It was simply an overcrowding situation.”